A Global Problem with Local SolutionsJason Rolfe, Mid-Atlantic Regional CoordinatorNOAA Marine Debris ProgramJune 2018

Photo: NOAA

Established in 2006 by Congress as the federal lead for marine debris

Vision: the global ocean and its coasts free from the impacts of marine debrisMission: to investigate and prevent the adverse impacts of marine debris

NOAA Marine Debris Program

Photo: NOAA

Photo: HIHWNMS NOAA MMHSRP Permit #932-1489Photo: Blair Witherington Photo: Coral Bay Community CouncilPhoto: Oregon State University, Hatfield Marine Science CenterPhoto: Heal the BayPhoto: NOAAPhoto: NOAA

Impacts• Wildlife entanglement

• Ingestion

• Vessel damage and navigational hazard

• Invasive species

• Economic loss: Tourism Recreation Fisheries Vessel damage

• Ghost fishing

• Habitat destruction

Program Pillars• Removal • Prevention• Research• Emergency Response• Regional Coordination

Photo: NOAAPhoto: NOAA

Removal

• Community-basedmarine debris removal projects

• Benefit coastal habitat, waterways, and wildlife

• Funded more than 150 removal projects since 2006, with more than 5,500 metric tons of debris removed

Photo: NOAA

Photo: Salem Sound Coastwatch

Removal

• Trash Traps to Remove Litter in the Anacostia River Watershed: install trash traps, conduct public outreach, and monitor marine debris in the Anacostia River, a tributary of the Potomac River.

• Derelict Crab Pots along Coastal NJ: NJ partners continue their work finding and removing derelict crab pots in New Jersey’s Barnegat Bay.

Photo: Hawai’i Wildlife Fund

Prevention

• Turning off the tap

• Create lasting and measureable behavior change

• Work directly with students, teachers, anglers, restaurants, and other businesses

Research

Photo: Florida Sea Grant

• Helps answer questions about marine debris

• Projects focus on: Microplastics

Fishing gear

Economic impacts

Plastics and chemicals

Emergency Response• Debris can threaten

navigation, natural resources, and human safety

• Respond to extreme weather events

• Emergency response guides for Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and the Pacific Northwest

Photo: NOAA

Photo: NOAA

• Located in 10 regions around the country

• Provide regional expertise

• Coordinate with local partners

• Facilitate the creation of regional marine debris action plans

Regional Coordination

Photo: NOAA

How can I help?

Photo: NOAA

1. Get InvolvedJoin a Cleanup in Your Community

Photo: Hudson River Community Sailing

2. Practice the 4Rs:ReduceReuseRecycleRefuse

3. Become a Citizen ScientistUsing the Marine Debris Tracker App

Thank You

Photo: NOAA

Jason Rolfe, Mid-Atlantic Regional CoordinatorNOAA Marine Debris Program

June 2018